A doula is hired by the birthing couple. She works with obstetricians and with midwives, in hospitals and at home births. Studies show that women attended by a doula during birth have shorter labors, fewer medical interventions (including cesareans), and healthier babies. The labor support provided by doulas enhances women’s satisfaction with their birth experiences and confidence with their new babies. With doula support, fathers tend to stay more engaged with their partners, during and after labor. Megan has been passionate about birth for as long as she can remember! She experienced gentle births with her own children in Australia, supported birthing women for several years in Germany, and has been practicing as a DONA-trained birth doula since 2006 in Benton and Linn Counties. She knows that every birth is a unique experience that can be powerful, positive, and transformative. She encourages parents to use evidence-based information to make informed choices surrounding the birth of their child. Megan is a science writer and naturalist, and speaks German. She lives happily in Corvallis with her husband and daughters.
